Dictator bans stinking pets

July 6 2003

Pets have been banned from the Turkmenistan capital so they do not overpower the sweet smell of dahlias named after the country's president for life.

All livestock will be banned from the city and households will only be allowed to keep one "cat or dog or decorative bird", following a decision by President Saparmurat Niyazov to beautify the capital with a new variety of dahlia named "President Turkmenbashi" (father of the Turkmens).

"I bought this camel when my grandchildren were born so that she'd provide them with milk. It's much tastier and healthier than what you get in the shops," said a resident who said his name was Ogulkurban.

"She's my pet and I could never eat her. We'll have to take her to relatives in the countryside if necessary."

Nina, 65, said she would eat her five chickens if the worst came to the worst.");document.write("

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Basic foodstuffs and utility bills are heavily subsidised in the gas-rich desert republic but even in Ashkhabad many depend on domestic livestock such as camel, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks.

Joblessness is widespread and pensions amount to around $US40 ($A59) per month.

Few dare openly to criticise Niyazov, an eccentric autocrat who has ordered golden statues and images of himself to be placed all over the city since having himself proclaimed president for life in 1999.

Some residents hoped they could find a way around the pet ban despite the enthusiasm of Ashkhabad's police for similar recent innovations, such as a ban on smoking in public places or while driving, both of which are punishable by a fine equal to the $44 ($US30) monthly minimum wage.

The new dahlias, which are to be planted along Ashkhabad's well maintained avenues, were named after Niyazov in recognition of his "great contribution to the stability of the Asian region and the whole world", the official Neitralny Turkmenistan daily reported.

The city's manicured avenues give little indication of the "climate of terror and fear" described in a recent report commissioned by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Hundreds of people, including children and the elderly, were detained after an alleged coup attempt against Niyazov last November. The authorities said the families of "betrayers of the Motherland" no longer had the "moral right" to live in Ashkhabad and should be deported, the OSCE report said.